Fuel pump



June 9, 1953 v. D.IROOSA FUEL PUMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 11. .1947

l NV E N 'I'OR Verna/1 2 30am J ATTORNEY June 9,1953 v. D. ROOSA FUELPUMP 5 sheets sheet 5 Filed Aug. 11. 1947 INVEN'I'OR.

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June 9, 1953 v. D. ROOSA 2,641,238

FUEL PUMP Filed Aug. 11. 1947 5 SheetS-Sheet- S Q 445 I 101a Hm" I '4 t3|-II g9 F? INVENTOR.

72mm 12 F0054 MK I a E-( JTTORNEY Patented June 9, 1953 UNITED STAT-fishi h'i'iiii i'i" @FFICE FUEL PUMP Vernon D. Roosa, Ardsley, N. Y.

Application August 11, 1947, Serial No. 767,939

2'7 Claims.

The present invention relates to fuel pumps of the type adapted to beutilized with internal combustion engines. The present pump is animprovement over previous pumps and over the pumps disclosed in myco-pending application, United States Serial Number 602,476, filed inthe United States Patent Office on June 30, 1925, now Patent No.2,538,982, granted January 23, 1951.

Manufacturers and users of fuel pumps are continually seeking to obtaina fuel pump adapted to be used with internal combustion engines which isrelatively simple in construction and operation, inexpensive tomanufacture, and adapted to operate efhciently over relatively longperiods of time with little or no inspection or maintenance. The pointof ease of maintenance is quite important as it is desirable that theordinary garage mechanic be able to adjust or make minor repairs to suchpumps. Where the number of parts is at a minimum the wearing surfacesare few and simplicity of operation is enhanced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fuelpump for internal combustion engines and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fuel pump which isrelatively simple in construction and operation,

Another object of the invention is to provide a fuel pump embodying anew and improved pumping device.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means fortiming fuel injection.

A further object of the invention is to provide new and improved meansfor relieving excess pressure in a fuel conduit. 7

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon anunderstanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, orwill be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages notreferred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employmentof the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and ole-- scrip-tion and is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, arming part of the spcification, wherein:

1 is an elevational View showing one form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the pump shown in Fig. 1;

3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken alon the 111516 4-4 of Fig, 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6--i of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line ':'--'.i ofFig. 3;

t Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of a fuel distribu- Fig. 8a is asectional view along the line 8a-e8a of Fig. 8;

Figs. 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d are, respectively, plan, top end, bottom end andsectional views showing one form of time controlling member;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view through a modified form of fuel pump;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line H of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along line I2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along line l3 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 14. is an end view of the fuel pump shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the metering valve shown inFig. 10;

Fig 16 is a sectional view along line l6l6 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 1'? is a sectional view showing another modified form of theinvention; and

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional View showing a portion of the fuelpump of Fig. 1'7.

The pump of the present invention may be located in any position, thatis, horizontally, vertically or otherwise, the positions shown in thedrawings being chosen merely for purposes of convenience in description.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 through 9 of the drawings, thereis shown a fuel pump comp-rising a casing, housing or stator I having arelatively large opening or core and various smaller passageways orconduits (8, H, is, 29). An enlarged opening or chamber 3 is shown ad"jacent the lower part of the casing.

The upper part of the casing l is provided with a cover bolted orotherwise secured thereto and beneath the cover t is shown a fueltransfer pump 2 adapted to supply fuel to the feeding and distributingportion of the pump. The transfer pump 2 may he of the rotary gear type,one ex ample of which is disclosed in my referred to pendingapplication. and may be secured by a key 3 to a rotor or distributorwhich will he hereinafter described, While any suitable type of fueltransfer pump may be utilized, rotary gear or vane types have provenquite satisfactory in actual operation.

The cover 4 is provided with an inlet opening or passage 5 adapted toreceive one end of an oil conduit (not shown) for conveying fuel to thetransfer pump 2. Fuel entering the cover 4 through the threaded opening5 may pass inwardly through the inlet passage 1 into the gear pump 2.The cover 4 also includes a pressure relief feature which will be laterdescribed. The exit or discharge side of the gear pump 2 communicateswith a fuel conduit or pasageway S and another fuel passage H through ametering valve Ill. The metering valve l maybe moved to control theeffective size of opening through the conduits 8 and H and hence thequantity of fuel passing through these conduits. The passageway I I inturn is in communication with the fuel distributing means or rotor 13.

The metering valve Ill shown comprises a substantially cylindricalmember having a recessed or cut away portion l4 at one side thereof;rotation of the metering valve is thus effective to vary the size ofopening by which the discharge passage or conduit 8 communicates withthe fuel passage H. In order to minimize leakage of fuel outwardly alongthe metering valve ID, the valve may have an'annular recess or channell6 and a longitudinally extending channel or recess ll; fuel which tendsto leak outwardly along the metering valve 10 enters the annular recess16 and flows from this recess into the longitudinal recess or slot 17,from which it may pass into a transversely extending passage l9 thatcommunicates with an additional return passage or conduit 20. The returnconduit 25 leadsback to the inlet passage and hence such fuel may returnto the transfer pump 2.

In order to pump or feed fuel charges to the cylinders of an internalcombustion engine itlis necessary that fuel which enters through thepassageway H be conducted to discharge ports 22 (Fig. of the pump; thedischarge ports 22 may be connected by suitable conduits with thevarious cylinders of an engine. The ends of fuel conveying conduits maybe secured withthe stator or casing I in any suitable manner, preferablyby threaded openings 23 (Fig. 5).

As shown in Fig. 3 a distributor or rotor I3 is 4 adapted tosuccessively connect the discharge openings or ports 22 with suitablepumping means for forcing fuel out of the discharge ports 22 and throughthe conduits to the cylinders of the engine.

The particular number of outlet or discharge ports 22 will be determinedby the number of cylinders of the engine with which the fuel pump isused. For purposes of illustration and description the pump of Figs.1-'7 is shown adapted to feed fuel to an internal combustion enginehaving six cylinders.

The distributor l3 fits relatively closely against the walls of thecentral bore of the casing or housing I and adjacent its upper end isconnected with the fuel transfer pump by the key 3 or other suitablemeans. Adjacent its lower end the rotor is shown secured to a gear orcoupling 25 by a key 26; a nut 28 and washer 29 serve to retain the gear25 in position on the distributor 3. The lower end of the distributor isretained in position by a ball bearing 3i, the ball bearing beingmaintained in position by a plate 32 secured by screws 33 to a collar ormem- 4 her 34 bolted, force-fitted or otherwise attached to the lowerend of the casing I.

As the distributor It turns, due to rotation of the gear or coupling 25keyed to the lower end thereof. the transfer pump 2 will be rotated toforce fuel through the conduits 8 and II as described. The distributoror rotor l3 has a plurality of radially extending conduits thereinadjacent the outlet end of the passage H, the number depending upon thenumber of cylinders in the engine; in the present instance six radiallyextending distributor conduits 35 are utilized. As the distributor orrotor 13 turns, the radial openings 35 connect in consecutive order withthe inlet pasageway ll so that fuel may feed through the various radialopenings 35 to a chamber or opening 3! at the interior of thedistributor. The chamber or opening 3? may be formed. within the rotorby drilling the rotor longitudinally and thereafter closing the upperportion or one end of the formed opening by a threaded plug or screw 38.

When the distributor has rotated to a position where an, inlet conduit35 is out of registry with the inlet port I I, a slot or opening 46 inthe wall of the distributor may be in registry with one of the dischargeports 22 that connects with a cylinder of an engine. In this latterposition it is desirable to eject the fuel from the chamber or theopening 31 of the distributor and to force it through a suitable conduitinto the particular engine cylinder with which the slot 4% is incommunication. Ejection of the fuel charge at this position may beachieved by the pumping means shown adjacent the lower part of thecentrally disposed chamber 31.

The construction of the fuel pumping or ejection means may be bestobserved in Figs. 3, 4 and '7. The distributor I3 is provided with alaterally or transversely extending chamber or opening 4| into which isfitted one or more plungers or pumping members 43. The plungers 43 areshown freely mounted within the chamber or bore 4i so that they mayslide or reciprocate toward and away from the central portion of thechamber 4|. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the outer end of a plunger 43rests against a roller 44 and the latter roller contacts a cam 45.

Retaining plates 41 fitted about the distributor l3 and resting againstshoulders 48 thereof provide two desirable features; they serve tomaintain the rollers 44 against endwise movement and they are alsoeffective to limit the maximum outward positions of the rollers, andhence of the plungers or pistons 43. This limitation in outermostposition of a roller 44 and plunger 43 may be achieved by pins orextensions 42 of the rollers which project into slots 46 of theretaining plates. It will be noted (Fig. '7) that the slots 46 areinclined or so disposed that circumferential shifting of the retainingplates serves to position different locations along the length of theouter edge 46a of a slot into operative relationship with the roller.Thus the stroke of the plungers pistons may be adjusted by angularlyshifting the plates 41 so as to obtain optimum pumping conditions.

The retaining plates 41 may be held in an ad justed position by bolts(not shown) which extend through adjustment slots and thread intoopenings 51 in the shoulder of the distributor. As the distributorrotates, under the influence of the coupling or gear 25, the rollers 44travel around or along the operating surface of the cam 45, Lobes orhigh and low points on the cam 45 tend to move the rollers inwardradially so as to likewise move the plungers- '43- inwardly when therollers 44 are affected by a, high point of the cam- 45; when therollers 44 are opposite low points lift of the cam the plungers 43 maymove radially outwardly.

Outward movement of the plungers 43 obtains due to rotation of thedistributor lS, which tends to urge the plungers outwardly due tocentrifugal force, and also due to fuel being forced into the cavity orchamber 3" of the distributor by the transfer pump 2 during intervalswhen a radial inlet passage of the distributor in registry with theinlet port H. Fuel thus forced into the cavity Ell urges the plungers t3outwardly due to the hydraulic pressure or force exerted by the enteringfuel; the outermost position being determined by the adjacent portion.ofv the outer slot edgeAta.

From the foregoing description it' will be seen that the pumping membersor plungers- 43 are urged outwardly due to centrifugal force and alsodue to the incoming fuel; inward, or pumping. motion of the plungers 43is achieved by cam means during intervals when the discharge slotor'open ing in of the distributor I3 is in communication with aparticular discharge port 22 In: the event the fuel transfer pump 2should tend to feed fuel to the distributor faster than the latterremoves it, excess pressure will start to build up in the casing conduitH. Any excess pressure will generally be relieved by passing outwardlythrough an opening It in the covert, this opening it being joined by areturn conduit (not shown) with a fuel supply tank; the. return conduitmay be throttle-d by valve to control the rcturn flow.

In addition to relieving pressure by flow of fuel out through theopening- !2 of the cover i, there is also shown. in. the cover apressure relief means adapted to facilitate" by-passing of fuel. In theevent of excess pressure at the discharge side of the transfer pump iithe pressure is effective upon one end of a piston or member l5,normally re' tained in position over a port it and against a limitingpin 2'! by a spring 24. sufficient increase in pressure moves the memberl5 away from the end of the pin. 2! and. in opposition to the spring 2dand uncovers the port It. Fuel may then pass through the port it to aposition adiaccnt the inlet of the fuel transfer pump 2'. The pressurerelief is thus effective to lay-pass fuel and relieve excess pressurewithin the pump.

For most efficient operation of an internal combustion ca ine it isdesirable to provide means for v mg the timing of the fuel injectioninto the engine cylinders. When an internal combustion engine connectedwith the present fuel pump operating under given conditions, the;pioneers 43 are eifective to deliver fuel charges to the cylinders at acertain time 01 instant with respect to the positions of the pistons inthe engine: in the event that the speed of the engine is increased it isdesirable to cause injection of fuel to the cylinder at a slightlyearlier instant than. occurred prior to speeding up of the engine.

With the present pump variation Of the time of fuel injection may beachieved by shifting the position. of the cam so that the high points 25thereof may be effective to actuate the rollers M and. plunge 53 at a:slightly earlier instant.

Movement or shifting, here shown as circu1ntorrential rotation, of thecam "55 may be achieved. by the EXEC-1-3111511). illustrated moreparticularly at the right side of Figs. 3 and 4 and in Fig. 9

of the drawings; Anoperatingpin 52' fitting into an: aperture in the cam4E and projectin through an opening 61 of'the casing I has an extension53 projecting into a 5101155 of a movable operating member 56"; theoperating member 56 maybe yiel'dably mouned. upon. one or moresprings 5?so that the membermay move with respect to the cam 4'5 The-operatingmember 56 is preferably mounted in a guide chamber or cylinder tit andas it moves vertically (as shown in Figs. 3 and at of? the drawings) theslot 55 therein which pro- ,iects-over the extension 53 of the operatingpin 5t causes the operating. pin 52 to move the cam 4 5?circnmferentially to shift the positions of the high. and; low. pointsof the camv with respect. to the plungers a3. and operating rollers til.The slot 55 is preferably diagonally disposed and has straight sidewalls (Figs. 9(Z-Qd) so that longitudinal movement. of the operatingmember 55 permitsthe pin 52 to move circumferentially and the pinextension pin. itself to'freely shift Withoutjamming or: binding;Preferably the operating pin: 52. ismounted in a suitable bushing or Elito facilitate smoothness of operation thereof.

Movement of the operating member 5% is achieved: by connecting the guidechamber of the cylinder 58 with a conduit in communication at anysuitable location with the outlet side of the fuel transfer pump 2'.Pressure created at the outlet or discharge side of the transfer pump 2is thuseffective at the interior of the guide cylinder or' chamberPressure existing Within the guide chamber 58 is effective upon ahydraulic piston 64 within the guide chamber 58, the latter hydraulicpiston normally resting against the operating member or plunger 56'. Theoperating piston 5% may be normally retained in' upper position by thecompression of springs 5i resting against the lower end of the guidechamber 58. When the. operating member 56 isv in upper or outwardposition (Fig. 3) the cam 45 is effective to deliver oil charges to thecylinders of an engine at a certain instant with respect to thepositions of the pistons in the. engine. As the speed of the engineincreases, the pressure of fuel forced into the pump by the transferpump 2 also increases; this pressure is communicated to the interior ofthe guide cylinder 58. and is effective upon the hydraulic piston E iand adjacent operating member 56. When increased fuel pressure moves thehydraulic piston (it and operating member 58 downwardly or inwardly theinclined slot in the latter member changes the position of the operatingpin and the latter shifts the position of the cam 55 in circumferential.direction to automatically change the instant of injection of fuel intothe cylindr. s of the engine. As the slotted operating member 55 movesupwardly or downwardly, different por tions of the slot 55' becomeeifectivc upon the extensionv 53 of the operating pin which actuates thecircumferentially movable cam 55.

The pumping mechanism, including the pistons or plungers 43 whichdeliver fuel to the cylinders of an engine, cause ejection of the fuelat a higher pressure than that created by the fuel transfer pump 2. Upondelivery of a fuel charge to engine cylinder there may remain. in theconduits leading to the engine cylinder an excess or residual pressure.It is desirable to relieve this pressure immediately subsequent tocompletion of delivery of a desired charge to an engine cylinder. Inthepresent fuel pump this relieving of pressure is achieved by providing apressure relief slot or opening 61 in the distributor or rotor I3, thepressure relief slot being positioned slightly rearwardly or in retardof the discharge port or slot 40 (Fig. 8). In Figs. 8 and 8a the reliefopening is shown approximately 36 in retard of the discharge opening,but any suitable amount of offsetting may be utilized.

The discharge slot 48 comes into registry with and hence is effective toconduct fuel under pressure to discharge port in communication with aline leading to an engine cylinder. The discharge slot 40 thereafterpasses out of registry with the discharge port during the interval whilea pumping roller 44 is on a dwell portion of the cam 45; the pressurerelief opening 61 moves into registry with the same discharge port veryshortly thereafter (this may occur while the rollers 44 are on the dwellportion of the cam or, in some instances, while they are moving toward alow area of the cam). Fuel under pressure in a discharge or injectionconduit may thus be relieved by the registration of the relief opening61 therewith.

The pressure relief opening 61 may communicate with an annular groove 68formed in the distributor I3 and the annular groove 68 may communicatethrough a portion 18 of reduced diameter, with the transfer pump 2. Fuelwhich passes from the relief aperture 61 into the relief groove 88 mayflow gradually through the portion of reduced section and to the fuelpump 2 or other low pressure part of the pump. It has been found thatutilizing a diameter I8 which is about one-one thousandth of an inchless than adjacent distributor portions is satisfactory.

Instead of utilizing a distributor portion of reduced diameter, therelief groove 68 may communicate with a passage 69 having a relief valvemechanism therein. The relief valve may be set to unseat at a suitablepressure to allow relief or passage of fuel into the fuel passage 8leading to the metering valve II). In some instances there may be usedother means such as a needle valve or a fixed orifice.

The mechanism for controlling the position of the metering valve Ill andthus controlling the 75 which is connected adjacent the lower endthereof with a resilient L-shaped member '76, the latter member beingsecured adjacent one end thereof by a nut to a lever 82. As described inconnection with my previous application, the L- shaped bracket orconnecting member may be changed with respect to an opening or slot I2through which it passes; thus the same spring may be utilized fordifferent installations and the desired spring strength obtained bychanging the leverage of the spring.

The lever 82 is conected with the metering valve I through theintermediation of a rod I8, spacer spring 18 and cross arm 80. Operatinglever 82 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends upon an arm orbracket 83 at a supporting portion 84. The free end 85 of the lever 82rests upon one end of a sleeve 87 shown extending about a portion of thedistributing member or rotor I3. The lower end of the sleeve 81 isprovided with a shoulder 88 which extends into recesses oropenings-ofweights89 of-a governor.

The governor comprises a series of weights housed in suitable pockets oropenings 9| secured to the member 92, the member 92 being keyed orotherwise secured to the rotor I3 in such manner as to rotate with it.Preferably a plurality of weights are utilized. As the rotor I3 turnsand carries with it the governor weights 89, centrifugal force tends tothrow the weights outwardly and the lower inner ends of the weights tendto lift the extension 88 of the sleeve member 81. Longitudinal or upwardmovement of the sleeve 8'! lifts the inner end of the lever 82 and iseffective to shift the position of the metering valve I8 through the rodI8 and cross arm 88. When a state of equilibrium is reached thecentrifugal force of the weights 89 is balanced against the tension ofthe spring or resilient member 15 and when the two forces are equal thespeed of the engine is fixed.

A solenoid or electromagnet construction (not shown), similar to that ofmy referred to pending application, may be utilized to shut off thesupply of fuel when a cut-off switch is actuated to stop the engine.

While the member 25 is shown as a gear, any other suitable means forcoupling the pump to a driving means may be utilized. By connecting thegear or coupling member 25 with the engine, the distributor or rotor I3may be caused to rotate at a speed determined by the speed of the engineon which the pump is mounted.

In Figs. 10 through 16 there is shown a modified form of the presentfuel pump which is particularly adapted for use with internal combustionengines subjected to variable speeds. Examples of such uses are enginesused in automobiles, tractors and also in marine installations.

The pump shown in these figures comprises a casing I88 having variousfuel passages (I05, I25, I38) therein adapted to convey fuel duringmovement to the cylinders of an engine. In addition, an opening isadapted to contain a fuel distributor I8I.

A transfer pump I82 is shown attached to the upper portion of thedistributor I OI by a threaded or other suitable connection I03. Thefuel transfer pump is adapted to receive fuel, from a source of supply(not shown), through an inlet conduit I84 and to discharge it, underincreased pressure, to a passage I05. The transfer pump I82 shown inFigs. 10 through 16 is of the rotary vane type and may comprise aplurality of radiall extending vanes I88, H19, H0 and III (Fig. 11)adapted to rotate within the chamber I I2 of an outer appropriatelyshaped member I I3. Fuel fed into the rotary vane pump is dischargedtherefrom into passage I85 upon rotation of the vanes and the actuatingor driving member II4. Vane pumps of this general type are known andhence a further detailed description of such a. transfer pump isbelieved unnecessary. While a vane type pump is shown, a rotary geartype pump similar to that disclosed in connection with Figs. 1 through 9may be used.

The fuel distributor I [II and the transfer pump I82 are simultaneouslyrotated by a suitable coupling or driving member IIfi shown connectedwith the lower part of the distributor by suitable soclret head screwsor bolts IIT. While any suitable type of coupling IIB may be utilizedthe type shown, which is generally referred to as an Oldham coupling, ispreferred since it facilitates ready assembly and disassembly of thefuel pump with a driving means.

The pumping mechanism which is adapted to eject fuel from the pump tothe cylinders of an engine is generally similar to that described inconnection with the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 9 and is shownenclosed within a substantially cylindrical housing member IIB bolted orotherwise secured to the casing tilt. A housing extension is bolted orotherwise securedto the housing lit by socket head screws or bolts Asuitable flexible or resilient sealing member i 3 is shown intermediatethe housing extension are and a rotating portion of the coupling memberi It; the utilization of such a sealing member of neoprene rubber or anyother suitable material tends to seal the interior of the pump againstcontamination by dirt or other impurities.

During operation of the pump of Fig. 16 fuel enters the inlet conduit 4%and passes into the transfer pump I02, from which it is discharged intothe fuel passage lilti. From passage Itllifuel passes, into anadditional passage i225. The passage 325 is shown extendingsubstantially laterally or transversely through the casing it!) and maybe drilled or otherwise suitably formed in I the metering valve 29 thefuel entersa fuel feeding passage 5% which terminates at the. outlet endthereof adjacent the distributor It.

The metering valve I29 is adapted to control the passage or flow of fuelfrom the transverse passage i2? into the fuel feeding passage I38. Themetering valve is shown more particularly in Figs. 10, 15 and 16. Asshown in. these figures it comprises a rod-lil te member having alongitudinally disposed opening or aperture I32 therein which is incommunication with a diagonally disposed slot or cut-away portion I33.The slot or opening i33 is preferably positioned at an angle withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the metering valve and, while anyappropriate angle may be utilized, an angle of forty five degrees hasproven satisfactory in actual usage.

When the metering valve is so positioned that the slot l 33 is oppositea solid or imperforateportion of the casing wall fuel is cut off anddoes 'not flow from the slot I33 into the feed passage I'3ll. Suitablerotation of the valve I29 serves to move the slot into registry with thelower end of the feed passage 530. The valve may berotated so as toplace the discharge slot I33 into partial or complete registry with thelower end of the feed passage we. The lower end of the feed passage ltllis indicated diagrammatically in ,Fig. 15; when the metering valve isturned the discharge slot I33 will gradually move into registry with theend of the feed passage 3t (Fig. 15). When the valve is rotated to placethe discharge slot only partially into registry with the outlet passagelit? the cross sectional discharge area of the opening through whichfuel may pass is relative- 1y small and hence only a. relatively smallamount of fuel may feed through the valve and into the passage, l3l). Asthe valve is rotated more fully into registry with the feed aperture I30a greater amount of fuel may pass through the passage I30 to thedistributor iill. Hence the quantity of fuel passing to the distributorlBImay be controlled by suitably positioning the metering valve I29.

The metering valve I29 may be retained in the inward position of Fig. bya spring or other 10 resilient means I35 which presses against ashoulder I36 of the valve. The opposite end of the spring may beconnected with a control rod I31, the end of the rod 131 and the spring135 being enclosed within a cap I38 secured into a threaded opening ofthe housing H9.

Opposite ends of the spring iii: are shown turned inwardly and extendingsubstantially diametrically across the spring I35 to provide one meansof attachment of the spring with the metering valve I29 and the controlrod lt'i. The spring Idfi-thus serves to maintain the metering valveseated-with the shoulder lSE thereof resting against a side wall portionof the casing I60. As the controlrod I3? is rotated the spring orresil-ientmeans I35 likewise rotates and the meteringvalve l29-turns tocontrol the flow of fuel.

A small opening I3I preferably connects the passage M-Ii with theinterior of the cap or housing I38 to minimizethe possibility ofhydraulic lock whereby desired operation of the valve I29 might beinterfered with.

In addition to performing the fuel control functions the metering valveI29 serves to provi-cle governingand pressure relief features. In theevent an engine tends to speed up excessively, due to an excess quantityof fuel reaching the engine cylinders, the coupling I I6 connected withthe engine serves to turn the distributor It! and the fuel transferpumpat higher speed. Turning the-transfer pump at higher speed tends toincrease the fuel pressure at the discharge side of the transfer pumnamely in the passages 01' conduits I 65 and I25. Increased pressure inconduit I '25 is effective upon the metering valve IZQ and tends to'movethe valve longitudinally in opposition to the effect of the resilientmeans Hi5. Movement of the valve I29 longitudinally in opposition to thespring I35 moves the valve discharge slot H33 so as to vary the amountof registry thereof with the lower end of the fuel passage I3ll;this maybe seen more particularly in Fig. 15 of the drawings. Moving thediagonally disposed discharge slot I33 away from the lower end of thepassage I30 decreases the effective discharge area of the slot i323 andpassage I39 and hence 'servesto decrease the amount of fuel going to thefuel distributor IO'I. As a result the engine tendsto slow down andslowing down the engine decreases the speed of the transfer pump I02;fuel pressure in the conduit 25 decreases and the metering valve lZBgradually moves back toward its initial inner position. The constructionand operation tends to maintain a balanced condition until the throttlecontrol rod I3l' is intentionally actuated.

In the event an engine speeds up to an undesirable extent, pressure inthe conduit I25 increases sufficiently to move the discharge slot oropening its into registry with the lower endof a pressure relief passageMt and fuel may then pass through the central opening I252 of the valve,through the opening i393, and into the relief passage I453. The reliefpassage Mil communicates with the inlet side :of the fuel transfer pumpI02 and therefore serves to by-pass fuel through the pump. to provide avery desirable pressure relief feature.

The distributor I0! is provided with a plurality of laterally extendingpassages -I :32 adapted to receive fuel from the feed passage its andconduct it intoa centrally disposed opening or chamber I43 of thedistributor Ill I. With the pump of Fig. 1.0 four-passages I42 areutilized but any suitable number may be utilized, for example six oreight. When a passage I42 is in communication or registry with thepassage I30 fuel may enter the chamber I43. When the passages I42 areout of registry with the feed passage I30 fuel may be ejected from thechamber I43 by the pumping mechanism shown adjacent the lower part ofthe distributor.

The pumping mechanism shown adjacent the lower part of the pump of Fig.10 is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 through 9 andcomprises plungers or pumping members I45 adapted to be actuated byrollers I46 carried intermediate retaining plates I41 and I48. Actuationof the rollers I46 and plungers I45 during rotation of the distributorIIII may be achieved by a cam I50 having low and high points I5I andI52, respectively. Operation of the pumping means to force fuel out ofthe chamber I43 is similar to that already described in connection withFigs. 1 through 9.

Oil pumped out of the chamber I43 by the pumping means may emergethrough a passage I54 adjacent the upper part of the distributor IIJIand enter into laterally extending casing passages I55 (Fig. 12) whichwill be connected by suitable conduits (not shown) with the cylinders ofan internal combustion engine. The discharge port I 54 connects inconsecutive order with the casin passages I55.

The distributor IIJI is preferably provided with a pressure reliefopening I53, pressure relief groove I56, and a reduced diameter portionsimilar to those described in connection with Figs. 1 through 9, wherebyundesirable excess or residual pressure in a fuel discharge conduit maybe relieved. This feature was brought out more particularly inconnection with Figs. 3, 8 and 8a.

In addition, the pump of Figs. 10 through 16 is preferably provided withmeans for automatically varying the timing of injection of fuel into thecylinders of an engine. This feature has already been described indetail herein-wherein it has been pointed out how movement of theoperating cam (45 of Figs. 3 and 4) I50 serves to vary the instant offuel injection.

In Figs. 17 and 18 there is shown a pumping mechanism similar to that ofFigs. 10 through 16 embodied in and modified for use with a governingmechanism similar to that of Figs. 1 through 9. The utilization of sucha governing mechanism is desirable in those instances where closer speedregulation is important. Examples of such use requiring closer speedregulation are in connection with electricity generating units.

When the pump of Fig. 10 is embodied in such a unit the housingextension I29 and coupling member I I6 are removed from the pump and thedistributor connected with a distributor extension I5'I, the outer endof the extension I51 being provided with suitable coupling means I58.

The drive connection between distributor IfiIa of Figs. 17 and 18 withthe distributor extension I5'I may be obtained by socket head screws orbolts I60 which serve to hold in assembled relationship the retainingplates I41 and I 48 of the pumping mechanism. The heads of the socketscrews I69 may project into suitable openings IBI in the member I51.

Adjacent the lower portion of Fig. 1'7 is shown a governing mechanismsubstantialy similar to that of Fig. 3, wherein governor weights 89a areoperatively connected with a sleeve 81a to move the sleeve in instanceswhere the speed of the pump tends to reach an excessive value. Movementof the sleeve 81a serves to actuate the lever 12 82a and controlmovement of a metering valve I 62. Pivotal movement of the lever 82a ona supportin bracket 83a and operation of the connecting rods 13a,connecting spring 19a and spring 15a is similar to that described inconnection with Fig. 3.

The metering valve I62 is shown provided with a longitudinally extendingslot I64 communicating with a circumferential groove I66, the valvebeing normally retained in inner position by a leaf spring I53. Manualcontrol or rotation of the metering valve I62 for adjustment of fuelfeed may be obtained by a throttle rod attached to connecting memberI65; the governor mechanism adjacent the lower part of the pump also iseffective to rotate the valve I62. In the event of sufficientlyincreased pressure in the passage I25 the valve I62 is urged toward theleft (Fig. 17) in opposition to the effect of spring I63 to place thegroove I66 into communication with the return passage I40; thus thevalve I62 also acts as a pressure relief valve and tends to maintain aconstant pressure in the passage I25 leading from the transfer pump.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a new and improvedfuel pump comprising a minimum number of parts which may be read ilymanufactured at comparatively low cost. The relative simplicity of thepump insures low maintenance costs and continuity of operation overrelatively long periods of time.

Ejection of fuel from the pump into the cylinders of an engine isobtained in positive manner by the pumping plungers, the plungers beingfreely mounted within suitable cylinders or chambers. Variation of theinjection of timing may be automatically obtained by varying theposition of an operating cam which controls the movement of theplungers.

Relief of excessive pressures within a discharge conduit leading to anengine cylinder subsequent to injection is facilitated by pressurerelief means of relatively simple construction incorporated with thedistributor and the pump.

The pump is relatively simple in construction and is well adapted towithstand any rough usage to which it may be subjected.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and without sacrificin any of its advantages, it is to beunderstood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a fuel pump adapted to be used for internal combustion engines andthe like, the combination of a casing having fuel discharge ports, arotatable fuel distributing member disposed in said casing and having afuel discharge opening for communication with said discharge ports insequence as the distributing member is rotated, pumping means includinga chamber in said distributing member communicating with the dischargeopening and a piston mounted for reciprocal movement in said chamber, anormally stationary cam disposed about the axis of rotation of thedistributing member and supported by the casing for intermittentlyactuating the plunger in timed relationship with the rotation of thedistributing member to cause injections of fuel while the opening is incommunication with a fuel discharge port, and means for adjustablymoving the cam about the axis of the distributing memher to adjust thetiming of the pumpin means relative to the distributing member.

2. In a fuel pump adapted to be used for internal combustion engines andthe like, the combination of a fuel pick-up pump having a rotatablepumping member, acasing having fuel discharge ports, a rotatable fueldistributing member dis posed i said casing and having a fuel dischargeopening for communication with said discharge ports in sequence as thedistributin member is rotated, means for simultaneously rotating thedistributing member and the rotatable pumping member of the piclnuppump, pumping" means including a chamber in said distributing membercommunicating with the discharge opening and a piston mounted forreciprocal movement in said chamber, means for intermittently actuatingthe piston in timed relationship with the'rotation of the distributingmember to cause injections of fuel While the opening is in communicationwith a fuel discharge port, and means responsive to pressure created bythe fuel pick-up pump for adjusting the position of the cam whereby thetiming of the pumping means is varied relative to the distributingmember as the speed of rotation of the distributing member is varied.

3. In a fuel pump adapted to be for internal combustion engines and thelike, the combination of a fuel pick-up pump having a rota able pumpingmember, a casing having fuel discharge ports, a rotatable fueldistributing morn ber disposed in said casing and having a fueldischarge opening for com'munic. tion with said discharge ports insequence the distributing member is rotated, meansfor simultaneouslyrotating the distributing member andthe rotatable pumping member of thepick-up pu 1p, pump ng means including a chamber in said distributingmember communicating wit the discharge opening and a piston mounted forreciprocal move ment in said chamber, a normally stationary cam disposedabout the axis of rotation of the distributing member for intermittentlyactuating the piston in timed relationship vith the rotation of thedistributing member, means providing a chamber in communication with thefuel pick-up pump, a plunger in said chamber operatively connected tothe cam for revolving the cam about the axis of the distributing memberin response to the pressure of fuel from the pickin; pump whereby thetiming of the pumping means relative to the distributing member isadjusted in response to the speed of the dis-- tributing member.

4. Ina fuel pump, the combination ofa casing having fuel exit ports, arotatable fuel distributing member in said casing having a fueldischarge opening movablealong a portion of said when the distributingmember is rotated for communication with said fuel exit ports in sequence and having a relief opening disposed in retard of said fueldischarge opening for communication with said fuel exit ports followingcommunication of said fuel discharge opening therewith, a charge pumpcommunicating with said fuel discharge opening, a fuel pick-up pumpcommunicating with said charge pump, and means forming a-passagewaybetween said relief opening and the discharge side of the fuel pick-uppump.

5. In a fuel pump for an internal combustion engine, the combinationof-a member having a plurality of discharge ports, a rotatable fueldistributing device associated with said member having afu'el dischargeopening and having'a pressure relief opening disposed in retardrelationship with respect to said fuel discharge opening forcommunicating sequentially with the fuel discharge ports during rotationof the fuel distributing device, means for supplying fuel under pressureto said discharge opening, and a restricted passage communicating withsaid pressure relief opening Eti. apted to conduct fuel away from thepressure relief opening and means for maintaining pressure in saidpassage.

6. In a fuel pump, the combination of a housing havin a fuel conductingpassage, a fuel dis tributor associated with said housing cornmunicatingwith said housing passage, a fuel transfer pump adapted to supply fuelto said housing a control valve n the housing passage between the fueldistributor and the transfer pump, valve including a valve body mountedfor translational movement in a direction to vary the flow of reelthrough said housing passage, and moans for moving the valve in said onedirection ncludi a surface on the valve subjected to pressure of fluidin the said housing passage.

7. In a fuel pump, the con biilation of a housing having a fuelconducting passage, a fuel distributor associated with housing, a fueltransfer pump ad pted to supply fuel through said fuel conductingpassage to distributor, a fuel control valve in fuel conducting passage,means for the valve for movement in a first action for varying the flowof fuel through said fuel conducting passage and for movement in asecond direction for varying the how of fuel through said fuelconducting pas sage, manually operable means for moving the valve insaid first direction, means on the valve subjected to fuel pressure insaid fuel conductpassage for urging the valve in said seconc direction,and sprin means opposing movement of the valve in said second direction.

8. In a fuel pump, the combination of a housing, a fuel distributingmeans associated with said housing, a fuel transfer pump associated withsaid housing for sup-plying fuel under pressure, a fuel control valvemovably positioned in an opening of said housing, means forming apassageway between the fuel transfer pump and the valve and between thevalve and the distributing means, said valve having a recess adjacent anouter surface thereof for varying the flow of fuel through thepassageway depending upon the size of registering opening between idrecess and the fuel passageway, and said valve having a portion exposedto pressure existing within the fuel passageway and tioning means forthe valve to permit the valve to move in a direction for varying the ofregistering opening between said fuel passageway upon delivery the fueltrans fer pump of fuel at a predetermined pressure.

9. In a fuel the combinaton of a casing having a fuel feed passage, fueldistributor passage and a fuel relief passage, a feed pump for supplyingfuel under pressure to the fuel feed passage, a control valve betweenthe feed passage and the fuel distributor and fuel relief passageshaving a valve body movable in one direction through a range ofpositions for decreasing the effective opening between the fuel feedpassage and the distributor passage to a position for discontinuingadmission of fuel to the fuel distributor passage and directing the fuelto the fuel reliefpassage, means on the valve subject to fuel pressureexisting in said fuel feed passage for urging the valve in said onedirection, and means yieldingly urging the valvein the oppositedirection.

10. In a fuel pump, the combination of a casing having a fuel feedpassage and a fuel distributor passage and a fuel relief passage, a fueldistributor associated with said casing, a fuel tributor passage and afuel relief passage, a fuel transfer pump for supplying fuel underpressure to the fuel feed passage, a control valve in the fuel feedpassage having an area subject to fuel pressure created in said fuelfeed passage by said transfer pump, manually operable means for rotatingsaid valve to control the quantity of fuel passing from said fuel feedpassage to said fuel distributor passage, and means yieldablymaintaining said valve in position against axial movement, apredetermined fuel pressure in said fuel feed passage being effective tomove the valve axially to vary the size of effective opening between thefuel feed passage and the distributor passage, and a predeterminedadditional pressure being efiective to move the valve axially anadditional distance to discontinue admission of fuel to the fueldistributor passage and to direct fuel to the fuel relief passage.

11. In a fuel pump, the combination of a casin provided with acylindrical chamber having a fuel inlet and a plurality of fuel outletports, means for pumping fuel under pressure to said fuel inlet, a fuelreceiving and distributing member rotatably mounted in said chamberhaving a longitudinal fuel passageway therein provided with openingmeans for communicating alternately with sa'idinlet and an outlet portas the member is rotated and having a transverse chamber communicatingwith said passageway, a plunger freely mounted in said chamber formovement in an outward direction to admit said fuel to the transversechamber and in an inward direction to force the fuel from the transversechamber, and a cam surrounding said member having a plurality of raisedportions for moving the plunger inwardly each time the member is rotatedto place said passageway in communication with an outlet port.

12. In a fuel pump,'the combination of a rotatable fuel distributorhaving an axial fuel passageway provided with, fuel inlet and outletports, a radial bore in said distributor communicating with saidpassageway, a pair of plungers in said radial bore adapted to be movedapart to receive a charge of fuel therebetween from the axialpassageway, and cam means for intermittently moving the plungerstogether during rotation of the distributor to alternately return thefuel charge to the axial passageway un- "er pressure.

13. In a fuel pump, the combination comprising a pump body having achamber therein and a fuel inlet and fuel outlet passages leading fromthe chamber, a fuel distributor rotatably mounted in said chamber havingan axially disposed fuel passageway provided with an outlet and inletports for communicating with said passages in sequence as thedistributor is rotated, a radial chamber in said distributorcommunicating with said passageway, a pair of opposed plungers freelymounted in said radial chamber forming a charging pump, and cam meansfor intermittently actuating said plungers inwardly during rotation ofthe distributor.

14. In a fuel pump, the combination of a pump body having a cylindricalcavity therein, a fuel inlet:and fuel outlet passageways communicatingwith said cavity, a cylinder rotatably mounted in said cavity, saidcylinder having an axial fluid passageway provided with ports forcommunicating with said inlet and outlet passageways in sequence as thecylinder is rotated and having a transverse chamber communicating withsaid passageway, a plurality of free plungers-slidably mounted in saidchamber, and cam means for periodically moving said plungers inwardlytoward said passageway as the cylinder is rotated to eject fuel throughsaid outlet passageways, said plungers being movable outwardly toreceive the fuel charge entering through said inlet passageway.

15. A fuel pump comprising a tubular pump body, a fuel pick-up pumpmember rotatably mounted in one end of said body, a rotary valve membermounted in an intermediate section of said body, pumping meanscomprising a rotatable member having radially disposed pistons thereinatthe other end of said body, means forming a driving connection betweenthe pickup' pump member, rotary valve member and r0- tatable member,means for driving one of said members, and cam'means in said other endof said body for periodically actuating said pistons as the members arerotated.

16. A fuel pump comprising a continuous pump body, a fuel pick-up pumprotatably mounted in one end of said body; a rotary distributor mountedin an intermediate section of said body, a fuel passageway extendingwithin said body from the fuel pick-up pump to the rotary distributor, ametering valve in said passageway, a piston charging pump forming a partof the fuel distributor comprising a pltuality of radially disposedpistons, a cam mounted in said body about said piston charging pump tointermittently move the piston inwardly as the distributor is rotated,and single driving means for the distributor and fuel pick-up pump.

17. A fuel pump comprising, in combination, a fuel pick-up pump having arotatable pumping member, a rotary distributor rigidly connected at oneend to said member, a charging pump comprising a piston mounted fortransverse movement in the opposite end of the distributor, a cam forperiodically actuating the piston as the distributor is rotated, and asingle unitary pump body providing a head for the fuel pick-up pump, acasing for the distributor and a housing for said cam.

18. A fuel pump comprising, in combination, a fuel pick-up pump having arotatable pumping member, a rotary distributor rigidly connected at oneend to said member, a charging pump comprising a piston mounted fortransverse movement in the opposite end of the distributor, a cam forperiodically actuating the piston as the distributor is rotated, and asingle unitary pump body providing a head for the fuel pick-up pump, acasing for the distributor and a housing for said cam, said distributorand rotatable member of the fuel pick-up pump being radially supportedsolely by engagement of the distributor with the said casing.

19. A fuel pump comprising, in combination, a fuel pick-up pump having arotatable pumping member, a rotary distributor rigidly connected at oneend to said member, a charging pump comprising a piston mounted fortransverse movement in the opposite end of the distributor, a cam forperiodically actuating the piston as the distributor is rotated, and asingle unitary pump body providing a head for the fuel pick-up pump, acasing for the distributor and a housing for said cam, said body beingprovided with outlet openings for connection to engine cylinders andinternal fuel passageways of short length extending between the pick-uppump and the distributor and the distributor and said openings.

20. In a fuel pump, the combination comprising a pump body having achamber therein, a fuel distributor rotatably mounted in said chamber, afuel charging pump forming a part of said distributor comprising aplurality of transversely reciprocable pistons, cam means for actuatingthe pistons, rollers situated between the outer ends of the pistons andthe cam means and adjustable stop means separate from the cam forlimiting outward movement of the pistons.

21. In a fuel pump, the combination comprising a pump body having achamber therein, a fuel distributor rotatably mounted in said chamber, afuel charging pump forming a part of said distributor comprisingtransverse passageways in the distributor and pistons freely mountedtherein, a cam for periodically actuating said pistons inwardly as thedistributor is rotated, rollers between the cam and the outer ends ofthe pistons, and an adjustable cage for limiting the outward movement ofthe rollers.

22. In a fuel pump, the combination of a housing having fuel conductingpassages, a fuel transfer pump adapted to supply fuel to one housingpassage, a fuel distributor associated with said housing for receivingfuel from a second of said passages, and a control valve movably mountedin said housing for controlling the flow between said passages, saidvalve being movable axially in one direction to decrease the flow and inan opposite direction to increase the flow and having its end portionexposed to pressure created by the transfer pump whereby the valve isurged in a flow diminishin direction responsive to transfer pumppressure.

23. In a fuel pump, the combination of a fuel pick-up pump, a fueldistributor, a piston charging pump comprising a piston freely mountedin said distributor, a fuel passageway between said fuel pick-up pumpand the distributor, a manually operable metering valve in saidpassageway having a portion thereof exposed to the pressure of fuel insaid passageway and means for mounting the valve for movement inresponse to said pressure for varying the fiow of fuel from the pick-uppump to the distributor.

24. In a fuel pump, the combination of a fuel pick-up pump, a fueldistributor, a piston charging pump comprising a piston freely mountedin said distributor, a fuel passageway between said fuel pick-up pumpand the distributor, a metering valve in said passageway for varying theflow of fuel from the pick-up pump to the distributor, said valvecomprising a plunger exposed to fuel pressure in said passageway, springmeans acting on said plunger in opposition to said fuel pressure, andmanually operable means connected to the spring means for varying themetering of the valve in response to fuel pressure.

25. In a fuel pump, the combination of a fuel transfer pump, a fueldistributor, a piston charging pump comprising a piston freely mountedin said distributor, a fuel passageway between the transfer pump anddistributor, a manually adjustable valve in said passageway having aportion exposed to the pressure of fuel in said passageway for varyingthe flow of fluid from the transfer pump to the distributor, and springmeans acting on said valve in opposition to said fuel pressure.

26. In a fuel pump, the combination of a fuel transfer pump, a fueldistributor, a piston charging pump comprising a piston freely mountedin said distributor, a fuel passageway between the transfer pump and thedistributor, a metering valve in said passageway movable to vary theflow of fuel through the passageway, manually adjustable spring meansfor urging the valve in an opening direction, means for rotating thefuel transfer pump and the fuel distributor, a governor operated by thelast named means for urging the valve in a closing direction, and meanson the valve opposite from the spring means and exposed to fuel pressurein the passageway for urging the valve in a closing direction uponincreasing fuel pressure.

27. In a fuel pump, the combination of a housing having fuel conductingpassages, a fuel transfer pump adapted to supply fuel to one housingpassage, a fuel distributor associated with said housing for receivingfuel from a second of said passages, and a control valve mounted in saidhousing comprising a cylindrical member rotatably and longitudinallymovable to vary the flow of fuel between said passages, said memberhaving an end portion exposed to pressure created by the transfer pumpto render the valve movable longitudinally by said pressure and havingmeans for permitting the member to be rotated manually.

VERNON D. ROOSA.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,221,542 Kahlenberg Apr. 3, 1917 1,509,169 McFarland Sept.23, 1924 1,765,249 Tastenhoye June 17, 1930 1,791,600 Onions Feb. 10,1931 1,951,340 Bohuslav Mar. 20, 1934 1,971,601 Dilg Aug. 28, 19342,130,299 Ernst Sept. 13, 1938 2,160,735 Hoffer May 30, 1939 2,164,888Sassen July 4, 1939 2,230,487 Eideneier Feb. 4, 1941 2,295,833 DeschampsSept. 15, 1942 2,353,188 Roosa July 11, 1944 2,365,636 Hedges Dec. 19,1944 2,391,221 Beeh Dec. 18, 1945 2,395,964 Fodor Mar. 5, 1946 2,446,497Thomas Aug. 3, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 98,842 AustriaDec. 27, 1924 434,788 Great Britain of 1934

